Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul has officially apologized for comments and accusations made earlier this week against the franchise. Sunday evening, Lupul posted a photo on Instagram and made comments on the post that accused the Maple Leafs of cheating on the results of players’ preseason physicals.
Joffrey Lupul apologizes for accusing the Maple Leafs of cheating on preseason physicals
The forward has called his accusatory comments on Instagram “inappropriate.”
Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images
In a statement released on Twitter, Lupul apologized for the “unneeded distraction” as the Maple Leafs gear up for the start of the new season.
The statement reads as follows:
I responded earlier this week to some negative comments on Instagram. It was an inappropriate response, and I deleted it, but I take full responsibility. It’s been extremely tough not being able to play over the past 1.5 years. I will not be seeking a second opinion, but I hope one day to be able to get back on the ice. I apologize to the media, fans, Leafs organization, and most of all my teammates for this unneeded distraction.
Lupul failed his most recent physical with the Maple Leafs, but has said he will not seek the second opinion offered to him under the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The 33-year-old forward has not played hockey since February 2016 after suffering a season-ending injury, and Lupul spent last season on the Maple Leafs’ Long-Term Injured Reserve list.
Lupul is in the final season of his five-year, $26.5 million contract, and will cost the Maple Leafs $5.25 million against the cap if he is not put on LTIR again this season.
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